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Impact of device‐guided slow breathing on symptoms of chronic heart failure: a randomized, controlled feasibility study
Author(s) -
Ekman Inger,
Kjellström Barbro,
Falk Kristin,
Norman Jonna,
Swedberg Karl
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1093/eurjhf/hfr090
Subject(s) - medicine , heart failure , randomized controlled trial , exhalation , respiratory rate , cardiology , heart rate , breathing , ejection fraction , ventilation (architecture) , respiratory system , anesthesia , blood pressure , mechanical engineering , engineering
Aims In many patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) even normal daily life activities cause dyspnoea and fatigue, well‐being might be considerably improved by even a modest decrease in such symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate if lowering breathing rate with the help of a respiratory modulation (RM) device could improve symptoms in patients with CHF. Methods and results Stable CHF patients with symptoms of dyspnoea were randomized to twice‐daily 20 min sessions using an RM device or to music listening (ML) using a CD player, for a 4‐week study period. Respiratory modulation guides the user to achieve a slow breathing rate (<10 breaths/min) while increasing exhalation time (Tex) relative to inhalation time (Tin). Lower breathing rate was accomplished by synchronizing respiratory movements with musical tones generated in response to breathing movements monitored with a belt‐type sensor. Endpoints were reduced breathlessness and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Seventy‐two patients (52 male, age 73 ± 11 years, NYHA 3.1 ± 0.9) were randomized and 65 completed the study (30 RM and 35 ML, respectively). There was no in‐between group improvement in breathlessness and NYHA class. Patients in the RM group who displayed an average increase in Tex/Tin of >0.2 and a reduction in the average respiration rate during 30 sessions were considered responders. Responders reported reduced breathlessness (−0.86 ± 0.23 units, P < 0.005) and improved NYHA class (−0.64 ± 0.20, P < 0.01) compared with non‐responders. Conclusion Device‐guided RM might have the potential to relieve symptoms of heart failure in outpatients by changing their breathing pattern.